Not everyone wants to hire an attorney when they are involved in a car accident. Many people find themselves turned off by the number of advertisements from attorneys claiming to win you the largest settlement possible.
In many situations, you may not need the services of an attorney. However, many times you are walking into a situation where you are way in over your head. Should you contact an attorney, or can you win on your own?
We have asked attorney, Alaina Sullivan, about what you should do. Here is what she had to say:
Anything Is Possible
Ask any attorney whether you need to hire an attorney, and the answer will almost always be “yes.” The legal system can be confusing and intimidating for unrepresented litigants, but that does not mean every person injury situation requires the help of an attorney.
If you are dealing with a relatively simple car accident with minimal damages and a driver who readily admits fault, you may be able to handle your personal injury claim without hiring counsel.
Understanding Possible Damages
You could be selling yourself short if you do not understand the different types of damages you could seek for your claim. You may only seek medical and property damages and not even know that you could be seeking compensation for lost income for the time you had to be off of work due to your injuries.
Insurance companies are not going to offer you anything over what you are asking for at maximum. Unless you know all of your rights and the possibilities out there, not having an experienced attorney assisting you could put you at a severe disadvantage.
The Art of Negotiation
Do not assume you will be given the offer you feel you deserve as soon as you submit a claim to the insurance company. When it comes to personal injury claims, insurance companies are trained to give the lowest offer first. Not all companies will try to short change you by any means, but you should not expect them to give you everything you want simply from you asking.
You should be prepared to negotiate. Attorneys are trained in the art of negotiation. They know the process, and they know how much is too small and how much is too much to request. They know the tactics used by the other side to get you to accept an offer that may or may not be fair to your situation.
You should be aware that the insurance company has paid attorneys on retainer for negotiating personal injury claims, and it only helps you to have a trained professional in your corner when it comes to negotiation.
Going Past Negotiation
If you are not able to come to an agreement on an amount for damages, you will likely be going towards arbitration or even trial. If your case is going to trial, it is highly recommended you obtain legal counsel.
You will be going up against trained professionals who work in the insurance company’s legal department, and despite the fact you are an unrepresented litigant, you will be treated in the same manner as an attorney in the eyes of the court. You will be expected to understand and follow trial rules and rules of evidence, and you will not receive lenient treatment by the judge or jury simply because you are not an attorney.
The consequences of going into the courtroom without knowing what you are doing could be detrimental to your case. Yes, hiring an attorney costs money, but not knowing what you are doing in fighting your claim could cost even more and bar you from seeking the relief you deserve.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
It is always recommended you contact attorney to discuss your particular situation. Contact one today for an evaluation of your case and to determine what type of compensation you should receive.
